**** (4 stars)
This is one of the best bakeries in town. As of this writing their butter cookies still come in the traditional waxed cardboard tub rather than a plastic bucket. We compared the butter cookies from four bakeries, and these were the softest and crumbliest. The standout is their plain, round, flat butter cookie, simple and very buttery.
Birkholm’s Bakery& Cafe
460 Alisal Rd
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-8188
http://www.yelp.com/biz/birkholms-bakery-and-cafe-solvang-2
***** (5 stars)
We did a cookie taste off, buying tubs of butter cookies all over town, and these were my favorite. I particularly like the crispy kind with raisins (or are they currants?) All these cookies seem to have a bit more body than most other bakeries in town.
Danish Mill Bakery, Inc.
1682 Copenhagen Dr
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-5805
http://www.yelp.com/biz/danish-mill-bakery-inc-solvang-2
***** (5 stars)
What a cozy and cute place. The outside dining, where you’re almost engulfed by a tree, is very romantic, and the inside is a quant and charming bistro. Service is friendly and professional. The standout dish when we visited was the scallop trio, a special with three very different preparations. The winelist offers hundreds of selections, almost all local wineries. Wine recommendations were spot on.
Bouchon
9 W Victoria St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 730-1160
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bouchon-santa-barbara
***** (5 stars)
This is the most extensive collection of hot sauces I’ve seen. I particularly like the section of mini bottles that lets label collectors stock up on novelty labels without spending a lot or taking up a lot of shelf space. I found a few rarities here.
Light My Fire
6333 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 930-2484
http://www.yelp.com/biz/light-my-fire-los-angeles
*** (3 stars)
Marlow’s offers a fair assortment of sports bar type food, mostly burgers or fried things. The fried asparagus is good, if a bit oily, and the citrus aioli that accompanies it is nice. The Buffalo chicken wrap was delicious: crusty, tangy, and fresh tasting.
The outside dining is some of the more pleasant in town, facing the fountain at Pointe Orlando rather than a road or parking lot. Service was slow but friendly.
Marlow’s Tavern
9101 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 351-3627
http://www.yelp.com/biz/marlows-tavern-orlando
***** (5 stars)
For us, Chez Vincent is like a little trip back to the neighborhood restaurant we always ate at in France.
The service is amazing, professional, anticipating every need, offering tastes of the wines by the glass, just perfect. The fact that our waiter handled the nearby table of French patrons (an endorsement in itself) fluently in French, then switched to us with no detectable accent was impressive.
The food is completely authentic. The house made pate is served just as it should be, with mustard and cornichons. My escargot was perfect–tender and just the right amount of garlic butter (which is to say, a lot!) I had the corvina in caper butter, a lunch special, and it was perfectly pan seared and then finished in the oven.
Food prices at lunch are reasonable for the quality, and there are many decent wine prices as well. My only complaint was that several of the wines I tried to order were unavailable; it’s time to update the very extensive list to reflect reality.
We loved this place, and will be back soon.
Chez Vincent
533 New England Ave W
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 599-2929
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chez-vincent-winter-park
**** (4 stars)
One of the best Chinese restaurants in the area. Food is prepared fresh to order, and there is a very extensive selection of authentic Shanghai cuisine. Lunch prices are very reasonable, and the dining room is quite pleasant.
Magic Wok Restaurant
6700 Conroy Rd
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 522-8688
http://www.yelp.com/biz/magic-wok-restaurant-orlando
**** (4 stars)
Much improved after the take over by a French holding company. Now the menu really is French. There is a small selection of mostly sandwiches at lunch time, but everything we tried was good The Croque Madame is fairly traditional. Ask for the mornay sauce on the side. The decor at this Mimi’s isn’t quite as cozy as the one at the Mall at Millenia.
Mimis Cafe
3130 Daniels Rd
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 656-5075
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mimis-cafe-winter-garden
**** (4 stars)
This place is vastly improved since being taken over by French owners. The menu now truly is French inspired. Bouillabaisse was tasty, if a bit more the consistency of gumbo. Service was super professional. This is one of the more nicely decorated Mimi’s.
Mimi’s Cafe
4175 Millenia Blvd
Orlando, FL 32839
(407) 370-0333
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mimis-cafe-orlando
**** (4 stars)
This new location of a long time Greek favorite is quite good. Service is friendly, everything is prepared fresh to order, and there is an interesting selection of hard to find Greek wines.
Cypriana Cafe
12309 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32826
(407) 286-4051
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cypriana-cafe-orlando